GlobalFoundries General manager Eric Choh, Stillwater Town Supervisor Ed Kinowski and Malta Town Supervisor Paul Sausville unveil a plaque at the new Luther Forest Athletic Fields in may 2013 during the declaration of the million-dollar complex built by GlobalFoundries and the towns of Malta and Stillwater.
Eric Jenks Photo

SARATOGA COUNTY -- To support the community's technology education and business, GlobalFoundries has teamed up with various entities to form initiatives such as the Tech Valley Connection for Education and Jobs, created with the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) to help regional students prepare for Tech Valley careers.

The computer chipmaker and the nonprofit have developed a work force initiative defining a path for students to be educated and prepared for the technology-based jobs offered at GlobalFoundries and other related businesses in the area.

"GlobalFoundries was founded in 2009 with a belief that the success of our company is related to the health of the communities we call home," said Travis Bullard, the company's corporate public relations manager. "As a result, we are committed to making investments of time, money, technology and volunteer expertise in local organizations to help solve some of society's toughest challenges and help improve the quality of life in our communities."

GlobalFoundries aids the Ballston Spa Central School District and the Stillwater Central School District with its annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), which lets the schools expand initiatives that often involve science and technology. This school year, Ballston Spa received $8.8 million; Stillwater received $2.4 million.

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"It's no mystery that school districts are under economic stress," said Ballston Spa Superintendent of Schools Joseph P. Dragone. "We can't do it alone."

In June 2012, GlobalFoundries announced the new GlobalFoundries Global Scholars Program to support the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School at Ballston Spa High School. The Global Scholars Program will provide $20,000 to students who choose to fully enroll as IB diploma candidates to help pay the fees associated with the program's exams.

GlobalFoundries also funds programs at local colleges, such as Hudson Valley Community College's Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Alternative and Renewable Technologies (HVCC TEC-SMART). At TEC-SMART, Ballston Spa Central School District and HVCC have developed a college-level course for high school juniors and seniors called the Clean Technologies and Sustainable Industries Early College High School Program. Regional students take transdisciplinary high school courses and for-credit college courses at the center in Luther Forest.

At the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the company is part of the $4.8 billion Global 450 Consortium, which is setting up a 450mm pilot manufacturing line in the new NanoFab X building.

"In today's increasingly complex global economy, innovative approaches to the public/private partnerships that support new advanced manufacturing operations must be part of the nation's economic strategy," said Ajit Manocha, CEO of GlobalFoundries.

The chipmaker has created two charitable foundations to benefit the two communities in which its plant is located, Malta and Stillwater. The GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation donates annually to selected community organizations, such as Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Rugrunners Robotics of Shenendehowa High School.

In 2012, GlobalFoundries presented checks to 23 different community organizations in Malta for a total of $60,000 in grants.

The GlobalFoundries-Stillwater Foundation has been formed and has filled all seven positions on its board of directors. The board is now working on a strategy to evaluate and invest in projects that support various community services.

GlobalFoundries' community investments

ä $1 million to plan, develop and build athletic fields in LFTC and to make improvements to the Village of Round Lake baseball fields

ä $4 million invested to fully fund not-for-profits in Malta and Stillwater. The mission of the foundations is to fund organizations, programs and projects that provide tangible benefits of a public nature to diverse groups in the community, including but not limited to: charitable organizations, community arts and theater groups, historical sites, special events, education, sports and recreation programs and activities. This includes:

ä $3 million for the GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation ($100,000 distributed to 36 organizations since 2011). This is managed by a five-member board of directors (two people from Malta, two from the company and one at-large).

ä $1 million for the GlobalFoundries-Town of Stillwater (The giving strategy for this foundation is still in development). This is managed by a seven-member board of directors (three people from Stillwater, three from the company and one at-large).

ä Corporate sponsor Tour of Battenkill: $50,000

ä Corporate sponsor Global Scholars Program (Ballston Spa School District.): $20,000 per year

ä Corporate Sponsor Malta 5K Run thru the Forest (2010-13): $20,000

ä American Red Cross-Super Storm Sandy New York State Relief Efforts (2012): $85,000

ä Various volunteer activities, including Stillwater Build Day, Saratoga County EOC Food Drive, school science fairs, SEMI High Tech U, local school supply drive, National Chemistry Day at the state History Museum, Thanksgiving Food Drive and Toys for Tots.